History of Wireless Festival in Timeline

Wireless Festival is an annual music festival in London, England, owned by Live Nation. Established in 2005, it initially showcased rock and pop acts. However, since the 2010s, the festival has largely transitioned to feature primarily hip-hop, urban contemporary, and other related genres. It is now widely recognized as a prominent hip-hop and rap music festival.

1975: The 1975

The 1975 performed at the Wireless Festival.

June 2005: First Wireless Festival

In June 2005, the first Wireless Festival took place exclusively in Hyde Park with tickets costing £35 a day.

2005: Wireless Festival Debut

In 2005, Wireless Festival debuted in London, England. The festival was owned and managed by Live Nation. Initially, the festival focused on rock and pop artists.

2006: Adjacent Festival in Leeds

In 2006, an adjacent Wireless Festival was held in Leeds.

2006: Wireless Festival in Hyde Park and Harewood House

In 2006, the Wireless Festival was held in both Hyde Park and Harewood House, with tickets priced at £37.51 per day.

March 2007: Tickets on Sale for Wireless Festival 2007

On March 16, 2007, tickets went on sale for the Wireless Festival at both Hyde Park and Harewood House. Tickets were priced at £40 for one day, £75 for two, £105 for three, or £135 for four days.

2007: Adjacent Festival in Leeds

In 2007, an adjacent Wireless Festival was held in Leeds.

2008: O2 Wireless Festival 2008

In 2008, the O2 Wireless Festival was a 4-day event in Hyde Park, marking the last year of O2's sponsorship. Tickets were £45 per day.

2008: End of O2 Sponsorship

In 2008, the sponsorship with O2 ended. The festival was called O2 Wireless Festival for the last time.

2009: Barclaycard Wireless Festival

In 2009, Barclaycard became the main sponsor, and the festival was renamed Barclaycard Wireless Festival.

July 2010: Wireless Festival 2010

From July 2 to July 4, 2010, the Wireless Festival was extended to three days. Tickets cost £47.50 for one day, £85 for two, and £110 for three days.

July 2011: Wireless Festival 2011

From July 1 to July 3, 2011, the Wireless Festival was held with tickets priced at £48.50 (Saturday/Sunday) or £49.50 (Friday) for one day, £92 for two, and £130 for three days. Headliners included The Black Eyed Peas, The Chemical Brothers, and Pulp.

November 2011: Tickets on Sale for Wireless Festival 2012

On November 18, 2011, tickets went on general sale for the 2012 Wireless Festival, priced at £49.50 (Friday/Saturday) and £52.50 (Sunday), plus booking fees.

2012: Wireless Festival 2012

In 2012, all tickets for the Rihanna day at Wireless Festival sold out by the end of March, setting a new record for the festival.

2012: End of Barclaycard Sponsorship

In 2012, the festival's sponsorship with Barclaycard ended.

July 2013: Wireless Festival Moved to Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park

In July 2013, the Wireless Festival moved to the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford. Tickets were priced at £57.50 for day tickets and £110 for two days. The event was sponsored by Yahoo!.

2013: Yahoo! Wireless

In 2013, Yahoo! became the sponsor, renaming the festival to Yahoo! Wireless.

February 2014: Wireless Festival 2014 Location Announcement

In February 2014, it was confirmed that Wireless Festival 2014 would be held at Finsbury Park, London and Perry Park, Birmingham.

July 2014: Drake Pulls Out, Kanye West Replaces in London

In July 2014, Drake pulled out of the Wireless Festival due to illness, leading to Kanye West replacing him in London. Rudimental headlined in Birmingham. Attendees in Birmingham received £20 of 'Wireless Credit'.

2014: Drake Cancellation

In 2014, Drake had cancelled a wireless festival appearance.

2014: Adjacent Festival in Birmingham

In 2014, an adjacent Wireless Festival was held in Birmingham.

January 2015: Wireless Festival 2015 Lineup Confirmation

On January 31, 2015, it was confirmed that the Wireless Festival would be held in Finsbury Park between July 3 and 5. The lineup was confirmed, including Drake's return.

2015: New Look Sponsorship

In 2015, the fashion retailer New Look became the sponsor for Wireless Festival.

2016: Wireless Festival 2016

Wireless Festival 2016 was held on the weekend of 8–10 July at Finsbury Park. The lineup included Calvin Harris, Chase & Status, J. Cole, Kygo and Boy Better Know. Wizkid pulled out due to Visa problems.

2017: Wireless Germany and Middle East

In 2017, Live Nation established Wireless Germany in Frankfurt, as well as Wireless Middle East in Abu Dhabi.

2017: Wireless Festival 2017

Wireless Festival 2017 took place from July 7-9 at Finsbury Park. Headliners included Chance The Rapper, Skepta, and The Weeknd. Lil Uzi Vert and Wiley pulled out, replaced by Pusha T and Lethal Bizzle respectively.

July 2020: Wireless Festival 2020 Cancellation

The sixteenth edition of Wireless Festival was due to take place on 3–5 July 2020 at Finsbury Park, London but was cancelled.

March 2021: Postponement Announcement

On March 23, 2021, it was announced via social media that the Wireless Festival would be moved to Crystal Palace Park and take place on 10–12 September 2021.

September 2021: Wireless Festival at Crystal Palace Park

From September 10-12, 2021, the Wireless Festival took place at Crystal Palace Park, later than usual due to Covid-related issues.

2021: Zapp Sponsorship

In 2021, delivery company Zapp (Quick Commerce Ltd) became the sponsor of the festival.

February 2022: Wireless Festival Expands to Three Locations

On February 25, 2022, it was announced that Wireless Festival would take place in Crystal Palace Park on July 1–3, and in Finsbury Park and the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham on July 8–10. Seven headliners would be split between the three locations.